Cote d'Ivoire 2-0 Nigeria: Elephants give Eagles a mighty scare

The Eagles scrapped through to South Africa though
they went down 2-0 to the Elephants in Abidjan

The Eagles have qualified for the African Nations Championship
(CHAN) for the first time by beating Cote d'Ivoire 4-3 on
aggregate though they lost 2-0 on Saturday in Abidjan. The
Eagles had won the first leg in Kaduna three weeks ago 4-1.
The home-based Eagles were down by two goals in the first 24
minutes as the Elephants employed an early lateral pressing
on the midfield and defence.
The first goal was scored in the fourth minute when a poor
headed back-pass from Azubuike Egwuekwe fell short and
Kevin Koelly pounced. The Eagles became very jittery and
another defensive mistake by Rabiu Ali led to a penalty kick for
the Ivoriens. The kick was coolly converted by Koelly for his
second goal.

The Eagles needed a time-out and weathered the storm till the
end of the half though they actually got stronger as the game
wore on.
Mba made a one on one save from Zougoula as the second
half began which then saw a more composed Eagles team as
they managed to fend off the Elephants by massing ranks in
the midfield. Gomo Onduku was substituted in the 53rd by
Flying Eagles striker, Abdullahi Gero, who immediately almost
assisted Sunday Mba to score.
Experienced Chibuzor Okonkwo came on for Olufemi Oladapo
in the 70th minute to add more know-how to the midfield and
then Solomon Kwambe, who had endured a torrid afternoon,
was replaced by Kunle Odunlami in the 80th minute.
As the game wore on, the Elephants became more desperate
and they attempted to con a penalty from the referee in the
87th minute when Zougoula fell under a innocuous challenge
from Godfrey Oboabona.
Three minutes were added on but the Eagles held on to secure
a place in January's tournament that will hold in South Africa.